For five months, hundreds of workers from the oil fields of western Kazakhstan have been on strike demanding better pay and working conditions. Now the country's longest-running industrial dispute, it has led to the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in oil revenue, reports the BBC's Rayhan Demytrie.
Kazakhstan is a rich country. Oil and minerals bring in billions in royalties and profits to the government. Astana is gleaming with new buildings. Out in the harsh desert where the oil is being drilled for and pumped out, it is not as obvious. The oil workers are striking for danger pay they are provided for under law. the courts (government) has declared the strike illegal. Thousands have been fired. Demonstrations have been broken up by police. Activists have been arrested and jailed and one murdered.
Hmmmm. "Demonstrations have been broken up by police. Activists have been arrested and jailed and one murdered."
ReplyDeleteSounds like Occupy movements in the United States.
America is running out og high ground from which to preach at the world. Not that it will stop it.
ReplyDelete